September: Varsity Soccer Athletes of the Month

September's Athlete of the Month is senior co-captain Austin Huckabone.  Austin is the son of Ricky and Melissa Huckabone.  The team has had a great month of competition, and Austin's play has a lot to do with this success.  His ability to beat defenders with his speed and dribbling skills has made him a threat in every game.  In addition, he has been valuable connecting passes with other offensive players around the goal.  His leadership ability has also been noticeable in his role as captain.  We are looking forward to his strong play in the second half of the season.  Congratulations, Austin!!!

September's Athlete of the Month is senior captain Logan Cookinham.  Logan has scored 5 goals and has 10 assists at this point in the season.  She is a major leader for this girls' varsity team.  She has a very active role both defensively and offensively.  Her experience and skill will be a major factor in the team's success this season.  Congratulations, Logan!!!

October: X-Ctry Athletes of the Month

October's Athlete of the Month is Stefania Grimaldi.  Stefania is the daughter of Kris and Joe Grimaldi of Deerfield.  Stefania is a senior and has been a terrific role model for the younger girls on the team.  She is truly a caring and responsible member of the school community.  Stefania ran her best race this year at our Home Meet with a 5th place overall finish and a time of 21:42.  Stefania still remains the "World Record Holder" for Hot Dog Tag!  Great job Stefania, you have been a pleasure to coach!

October's Athlete of the Month is Nick Robinson.  Nick is the son of Amie and Andy Robinson of Ohio.  Nick is a senior and has been a tremendous leader on and off the course this year.  Nick set a personal record with a 7th place overall finish and a time of 18:49 at our Home Meet.  Nick has been instrumental in helping to foster a positive team culture.  Great job Nick, you have been a pleasure to coach!

November: Varsity Basketball Athletes of the Month

November's Athlete of the Month is senior Owen Bennett.  As the varsity team looks to build on their experience from last year, Owen has been a great leader by example.  He was in attendance for every function we held during the summer, has been dedicated to working on his strength and skill set this off-season and has demonstrated great leadership skills during practice thus far.  He works extremely hard on the court, is passionate about the game of basketball and is a great teammate.  The basketball program is lucky to have a "team first" player like Owen Bennett!!! Congratulations Owen and keep up the good work.

November's Athlete of the Month is sophomore Lily Martin.  Lily has shown outstanding effort in practice this season and has improved greatly during the off-season.  Her defensive effort and mindset stands out and she has also demonstrated a leadership role for her team.  She has also become more confident in her shooting and dribbling abilities.  Lily is going to be a major contributing factor to this season's success.  Congratulations Lily!!!

December: Varsity Cheer and Wrestling Athletes of the Month

December's Athlete of the Month is Trinity Barnello.  Trinity has shown great dedication and enthusiasm at practice this season.  She has not only taken on a leadership role this year, she is also willing to help the team whenever she can.  Trinity is willing to put in the work to help improve the routine.  She has shown great improvement in her skills and a willingness to try new skills as well.  She has also been able to provide great input for the cheer routine for this season.  Congratulations Trinity!!!

January: Varsity Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Month

Senior Gage Smith is January's athlete of the month in Varsity Indoor Track and Field.  In his first year of indoor track, Gage is the team's leading sprinter.  He has qualified for sectionals in both the 55 meter and the 300 meter runs.  Gage also broke the school record in the 55 meter dash.  Gage will be an important contributor to team relays at the league and sectional championship meets.  Congratulations Gage!

Senior Stefania Grimaldi is January's athlete of the month in Varsity Indoor Track and Field.  A veteran track athlete, Stefania brings a wealth of experience to the team.  She was chosen as a captain by her teammates and she has shown herself to be an excellent leader.  Stefania has been a mentor for younger athletes on the team, patiently leading by example.  Hardworking and versatile, Stefania has qualified for sectionals in 4 different individual events this season.  She scores regularly against difficult competition and will be an important part of Poland's line-up in the League and Sectional Championships.  Congratulations Stefania!

February: Varsity Basketball

The February Athlete of the Month is senior captain Shelbi Hagues.  Shelbi has elevated her play and assumed a major leadership role on the team during the Section 3 playoffs.  Her desire to play at her best both offensively and defensively has proven to be a major spark for the team.  She has been extremely focused in practice, going outside of her comfort zone to help improve not only herself, but her teammates.  Shelbi has created havoc on opposing teams with her defense.  Her efforts and leadership on the basketball court have helped her team compete for a Section 3 Championship for the second year in a row!!  Congratulations Shelbi!!!

The February Athlete of the Month is senior Jackson Vail.  Jackson has displayed hard work, been coachable and demonstrated great leadership for our program all season long both on and off the court.  On court, he has posted multiple double-double outings (points and rebounds, 10 plus) and has been a defensive presence down low.  His willingness to accept coaching, work hard and be committed to the team's success is something that is appreciated by his coaches.  For these reasons and many more, he and his fellow seniors will be truly missed next year.  Great job Jackson!!! 

March: Softball/Baseball

The March Athlete of the Month is Sarah Zuchowski.  Sarah comes to practice each day ready to work hard and bring leadership to the field defensively and offensively this season.  As a senior leader, she pushes her teammates to perform at their highest level, shares her knowledge with younger players and always has a positive and encouraging attitude.  Congratulations Sarah!!!

The March Athlete of the Month is senior Neal Waterman.  Neal has been a true leader in our preseason program.  He is a vocal leader and sets a great example for his younger teammates.  Neal gives max effort and focus in every drill.  He has helped Coach Bowen settle into a new team and is a second coach out on the field.  

April: Golf

April's Athlete of the Month is Hannah Carnright.  Hannah is a senior and this is her second year on the varsity golf team.  Hannah has not only improved her golf game significantly, she is also a great teammate.  Hannah shows up to every practice with a smile on her face and she always puts in her best effort.  Hannah is a positive role model for her younger teammates and is always willing to help out.  Hannah is the true definition of a student athlete.  Not only is she successful on the golf course but in the classroom as well.  Hannah is the type of athlete, and more importantly, the type of person you can build a program around.  

May: Track

Senior Kody Aserian is May's Athlete of the Month in Outdoor Track and Field.  In his first year of track and field at Poland, Kody has become the team's top thrower.  He often finishes first in both shot put and discus in regular season meets.  Always willing to share his knowledge, Kody has served as a mentor for younger athletes.  Throughout the season, Kody has shown the desire to improve in the throwing events and has set a goal to reach the state qualifier meet in discus.  He has qualified for sectionals in shot put, discus, and the 100 meter dash.  Kody finished in 3rd place in discus at the East Syracuse-Minoa Boys Specialty Invitational and 2nd in the Center State Conference Division 4 Championship.  He will compete in shot put and discus in the Section 3 Championship meet and will be a key part of his team's line-up.  Congratulations Kody!

Junior Sophia Farber is May's Athlete of the Month in Outdoor Track and Field.  As a third year track athlete and team captain, Sophia can always be counted on to do her best.  She has competed in a variety of events this year but specializes in the field.  This year, Sophia took on the challenge of pole vault and had great success.  She finished in 7th place at the Oneonta Invitational earlier this season.  Sophia also placed 2nd at the Center State Conference Division 4 Championship and set a new school record with a vault of 8 feet.  Sophia has qualified for sectionals in pole vault, high jump and long jump and will have an important role in the team's Sectional Championship meet.  Congratulations Sophia!